Multiwell plate having transparent well bottoms and method for making the mulitiwell plate

Abstract

A multiwell plate is described that is used for assaying samples and is made from a plastic upper plate which forms the sidewalls of one or more wells and a transparent lower plate which forms the bottom walls of the wells. The upper plate and lower plate are attached and bound to one another by a series of rings. Also described herein is a method for making such multiwell plates.

1. A multiwell plate for use in assaying samples, comprising:
 a frame that forms sidewalls of a plurality of wells, the frame having a top surface that interconnects said wells, the frame having a bottom surface that interconnects said wells, where the top surface is separated from the bottom surface; 
 at least one raised ring extending from said bottom surface of said frame and circumscribing at least one of said wells; 
 a layer that forms a bottom wall of the at least one well, the layer having a top surface, wherein said frame and said layer are attached such that said top surface of said layer contacts and bonds to said raised ring. 
 
     
     
       2. The multiwell plate of  claim 1 , wherein said frame and said layer are attached and bound to one another by an adhesive. 
     
     
       3. The multiwell plate of  claim 1 , wherein each said well is circumscribed by said raised ring. 
     
     
       4. The multiwell plate of  claim 3 , wherein said rings are independent of one another and do not overlap or intersect. 
     
     
       5. The multiwell plate of  claim 1 , wherein said frame further comprises a peripheral skirt having a lower rim. 
     
     
       6. The multiwell plate of  claim 5 , wherein said lower rim does not contact said layer along its entire periphery, thereby allowing open communication between an outside environment and a gap between said upper plate and said lower plate. 
     
     
       7. The multiwell plate of  claim 1 , further comprising a step as defined by a relatively larger inner circumference of said raised ring and a relatively smaller circumference of said well. 
     
     
       8. The multiwell plate of  claim 1  whereby said raised ring is set back from said well a predetermined distance thereby creating a step along the bottom surface bounded by an internal circumference of said raised ring and a circumference of said well.